Chicago wraps up Oilers in tight one

Jeff Jaeger kicked a game-winning field goal for the second straight week, a 33-yarder with 1:03 left that lifted the Bears over the Tennessee Oilers 23-20 Sunday.

The Oilers (3-4) had a final chance to send the game into overtime when they moved the ball to the Chicago 38 in the final minute. But Chicago (3-5) got a sack and forced Steve McNair to spike the ball.

McNair found Willie Davis on the sideline for a 13-yard gain to the 32, leaving the Oilers with 21 seconds, no timeouts and facing fourth-and-3.

Al Del Greco, thinking the Oilers had a first down, did not immediately go on the field, forcing holder Craig Hentrich to try the 49-yard field goal. His kick went into the line, and the Oilers also were penalized for 12 men on the field as Del Greco first tried to run on the field, then was late getting off.

The Bears, who won 13-12 over Dallas last week, now have won two straight games for only the fourth time in the past three seasons.

But it didn't come without the late drama that the Bears have become accustomed to this season. They lost three games by a total of nine points.

They led 20-10 early in the fourth quarter on two earlier field goals by Jaeger of 39 and 26 yards. Chicago, which has turned the ball over more than any other NFL team this season, forced the Oilers into three fumbles and an interception that they turned into 17 points.

Chicago had a chance to pad its lead to 23-13 with 6:49 left, but officials ruled Jaeger's 34-yard field goal attempt missed just left.

The Oilers, 1-3 in their temporary home at Vanderbilt Stadium, didn't waste the opportunity.

They gave the ball to Eddie George five times, and he picked up 49 yards, moving Tennessee to the Chicago 15. Two plays later, Rodney Thomas ran into the middle and bounced around to the left and ran over Bears cornerback Walt Harris for a 7-yard TD run with 3:44 left that tied the game at 20-20.

George finished with a season-high 137 yards on 21 carries.

The Bears started sluggishly as Kramer missed on five of his first six passes, but the team with 22 turnovers coming into the game finally got moving.